Plier-wrench.



H. R. PALMER.

PLIEB. WRENCH.

APPLIOATION FILED Mu 1o, 1911.

1 ,086,078. Patented Feb. 3, 1914.

Winx/5555 HERBERT E. ramas., or

CLEVELAND, OH'IO, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF TO MEYER S. HYIAN, OF CLEVELAND,OHIO.

.Puna-WRENCH.

` speeiaeation of Letters Patent.

Patented Fei). 3,1914.

Application Sled Hay 10, 1911. Serial No. 826,199.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT R. PALMER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Plier-Wrenches, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, and exact description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings.

The subject matter .of this invention is a combination tool partaking ofthe characteristics of a wrench, a pair of pliers, and a pair of pipetongs, and the object of the invention is the provision of a device ofthis character which shall be adapted to fulfil the functions of any oneof said instruments while avoiding the disadvantages commonly inherentin a combination tool.

It is commonly observed that when a pair vof pliers are employed inconnection with a nut, the sides of the nut exert a wedging or pryingaction upon the jaws of the pliers tending to open the same and permitthe same to slip upon the nut and the prevention of such prying actionrequires an extremely firm and tiresome grip upon the handles of thetool.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision, in connectionwith a device of this character, of means for bracing the jaws of j thetool against such wedging or prying action and thus rendering lesstiresome the operation thereof.

Itis also observable that, when the jaws of a pair of pliers are openedsuiiiciently far to permit the insertion of a large objectvtherebetween, the handles are so far separated as to render it extremelyditlicult to stretch the hand thereacross and this feature usuallyserves to limit the use of a tool of this kind to objects of a size muchless than the actual spread of the jaws.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a device of this typein which one of the handles shall be adjustable so that the two handlesmay be brought comparatively close together, even though thev jaws bespread to their widest extent and this without materially weakening thetool or decreasing its leverage.

Other objects of the .invention are the production of parallel jawpliers of a new and improved type and the cheapening of the cost ofproduction of a tool of this class,

while further objects and advantages will become apparent in the courseof the follow'- mg description and claims.

One embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the drawingsaccompanying and forming a part of this application in which:

Figure 1 is a side View of a tool constructed in accordance with myinvention, certain portions thereof being broken away so as to disclosethe interiorconstruction; Fig. 2 an edge view of the same viewed fromabove; and Fig. 3 a side view of the complete tool.

Describing tlre^parts by reference characters, 1 represents the fixedhandle of the tool and 2 the movable handle. The fixed handle ispreferably formed upon a reverse curve, as shown, and one side thereofat one end is attened as at' 3 to form a jaw, this portion beingpreferably scored o r roughened as illustrated. y Pivoted to this handleupon a pin or rivet 4 slightly in the rear of this jaw is the movablehandle 2 which is made in the form of a channel having a pair ofparallel side plates or members 5 connected by an integral back 6 whichforms the outside edge of the handle. At their ends these side plates ormembers arespread sidewise as shown at 7 for a purpose to be hereinafterexplained while the back 6 is terminated at a distance from the end ofthe handle 1 to form a recess 8.

Pivoted upon the pin4 at each side of the handle 1 and inside of themember 7 is a side plate or'link 10 and pivoted upon a pin 11 in therear of the pin 4 is a Second pair of links 12. Pivoted between theforward endsl of the links 10 and 12,- by the pins or rivets 13 and 14respectively, is a movable jaw member 15 having its inner side curvedcomplementarily to the adjacent side of the fixed handle 1 and'formedatits end with a fiat face or jaw 16 opposite the jaw 3. The

pivots 4, 11, 13 and 14 are arrangedat the i corners of a parallelogramsothat the jaws 3 and 16 may always remain parallel with each other.Obviously the jaw 16 will possess a certain degree of longitudinalmovement relative to the jaw 3 but this feature is not objectionable incase the tool -be correctly designed. The length of the links and the.position of the pivots are so chosen that the tips of the jaws will besubstantially Hush when closed. Upon opening the same the jaw 16 firstmoves forwardlyY beyond the l fixed jaw for. the first one-third of theopening movement, then back until at the completion of the second thirdlof the opening movement it is again flush with the end of the fixed jaw.ADuring the last third of the opening movement the .movable jaw thenrecedes behind the fixed jaw by an amount equal to its advance duringthe rst onethird, but the amount of this movement is so small incomparison with the length of the jaw surfaces as not to beobjectionable. Preferably the curve of the fixed handle is such that thefaces of the jaws will be substantially parallel with the line bisectingthe angle between the handles when the latter are fully opened. Theinclination of the jaws as regards the mean position of the handles willbe found very convenient-in a pair of pliers but it is desirable thatthis inclination be kept at one side of the median line instead ofshifting thereacross at different -adjustments of the tool. Y

The links 10 are movable independently of the handle 2 and their rearends are enlarged as shown at 2O and formed upon an arc having the pivot4 at its center, this arc being formed with notches 21, 21b and 21.

Pivoted upon a pin 22 secured in the side plates 5 is a latch 23 havingits forward end bent to extend outwardly through the recess 8 as at 23aand split to form a pair of parallel branches 24 each of which isprovided at its forward extremity with an inturned hook 25 adapted toengage in one of the notches 2l, 2lb or 21. The width of this hook isgreater than the thickness of the link 10 and overlaps the side member 7of the handle which is provided with a notch 21i1 for its reception.lThe rear end of this latch is provided with an enlargement or buttonl26 which projects outwardly through an aperture 27 formed in the back 6of the handle 2, and a leaf spring 28 is secured to the inside of thishandle so as to press outwardly upon the end of the latch. If the hook25 be engaged with the notch 21a of the link 10 the effect will be tosecure the lhandle 2 to these links as though they were made in onepiece therewith and the tool may be operated in the usual manner. Thestrength of this engagement is very great because of the engagement ofthe hooks 25 lwith the notches 25a in the members 7, while the dangerthat the hooks will be wedged out of these projections is very smallowing to the fact that the sides thereof and of the notches are formed'upon arcs having the pivot 22 ,as a center.

In case the size of bolt `or other object grasped between the jaws 3 and16 is so great as to cause an undue diversion of the handles l and 2,the hook 25 is transferred to one of the notches 21v or 2lc asillustrated in Fig. 3 thus bringing the handles 1 and 2 nearer togetherand permitting the same to Loaders be grasped with less diiiicultywithout diminishing either the strength of the tool or the leverageexerted upon the jaws. The front face of the notch 21a is preferablyextended as shown at 29 so 'as to prevent the hook 25 from beingadvanced too great a distance in a forward direction.

In order to lock the jaws in contact with the nut or other object withwhich they are engaged, the following construction is provided: The rearedges of the links 12I are connected by means of a plate 35 preferablyintegral therewith, the rear edge. of this plate being spaced from theedge of the handle 1 as shown at 36. Inasmuch as the plate 35 is alsospaced laterally away from the pivot 11 it is obvious that, as the links12 are swung about this pivot, the edge 36 of this plate will be causedto approach and recede from the adjacent edge ofthe handle. Slidablycarried by the handle 1 is a wedge member 37 having its forward endreduced so as to be inserted beneath the plate 35 and having itsrearward end` spaced from the handle as shown at 38. The inner surfaceof the forward edge of this wedge member is formed with corrugations '39adapted to coperate with similar corrugations formed upon the edge ofthe handle 1. At its rear end this wedge member is formed with a pair ofparallel inwardly turned side plates 40 overlying the sides of thehandle and connected at the opposite side to a leaf spring 42 having itsfree end formed to engage the inner edge of the handle opposite thecorrugated portion of the wedge member 37. In order to prevent thedisconnection of this member a pin 43 is secured in the handle andprojects into slots 44 formed in the plates 40, the outer 'edge of theseslots being cut substantially parallel with the inner face of the wedgemember as shown' at 45. The outer surface of this wedge member isp|referably formed at its rear end with a curved corrugated portion 46adapted to be engaged by the thumb ofthe operator. It will be obviousthat the tendency of the spring 42 will be to hold the corrugatedport-ion of this wedge member in engagement with the similarlycorrugated portion of the handle and so prevent the accidentaldisplacement thereof, but that if the rear end of this member bedepressed by placing the thumb upon the portion 46, the member will berocked against the tension of this spring so as to disengage thecorrugations and permit its adjustment as may be desired. It will alsobe obvious that when the jaws of the tool have .been engaged upon a nut,pipe, or other article the wedge member 37 may be interposed beneath theplate 35 so as to prevent the jaws from being opened and released fromsuch object until the wedge member is again removed. As a consequence ofthis construction this tool may be employed as a `wrench without theoccurrence ofthe disa eable rymg action observable in'other illiaevicesolf) this type.' The jaws are preferably formed with serrations 50adapting the tool for use with a pipe wrench and with wire' cuttingedges A51, though these features, broadly considered, are not a part ofmy invention and have no bearing upon the novelty of this device.

It is obvious that many changes may be made in the details of thisdevice without departing from the scope of my invention. The lockingmechanism may be formed as a cam, screw, or any other kind of stop aswell as a wedge without departing from the scope of my invention, andmay be used either with or without the adjustable handle as may bedesired. Likewise the adjustable handle may be employed without the jawlocking device without detracting from its utility in any way, althoughby employing both these features in this one tool I have produced anarticle of the. very highest convenience and utility. Furthermore thishandle may be applied to either the links 10 or thelinks 12 withoutaiiecting the operation of the tool while the relative ositions of theVlinks 10 Vand side members can be interchanged without trouble. In factthe handle 1 may be slotted to receive either or both of the links 10 ormembers 7. It will therefore be understood that while I have necessarilydescribed my invention in detail, I do not propose to be limited to suchdetails except as the same may be positively included in the claimshereto annexed or may be rendered necessary by the prior state of theart.

Having thus described my invention, what I' claim is `1. In a device ofthe character described, in combination, a rigid handle having a jaw atone end and a pivot adjacent to said jaw, a link journaled on said pivotand having secured to its outer end a jaw complementary to said firstjaw, a second handle journaled upon said pivot and having inwardlyturned side plates embracing the sides of said rst handle, a latchmember pivoted between said side plates and having a'hook at its forwardend, said link being formed with lateral notches ladapted to receivesaid hook whereby said linkand said second handle may be locked togetherin rigid relation.

2. In a device of the character described, f'

in combination, al rigid handle having a jaw at one end and a pair ofpivots in the rear of said jaw, a pair of links vjournaled about each ofsaid pivots, a complementary jaw member pivoted between the ends ofcorresponding links so as 'to be maintained parallel with said irst jawin all positions of adjustment, a movable handle having` forwardlyprojecting side .plates journaled upon oneof said pivots'outside of saidlinks,

and a latch member adapted to connect said yside plates to said links inany one of a plu-K rality of positions.

3. In a device of the character described, i

in combination, a rigid handle havinv a4 jaw at one end and a pivotadjacent to saidv jaw, 1

a link journaled on said pivot at each side of said rigid handle andhaving secured toladjacent to said links, said links being formed withlateral notches and said side plates being formed with notches adaptedto register with the notches in said links, and a latch member pivotedto said second handle and having a hook or dog adapted to engage thenotches in said links and side plates whereby said links and said secondhandle may be locked together in rigid relation.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle having a jaw at one end and a pair of pivots adjacent to saidjaw, a pair of links journaled about each of said pivots, acomplementary jaw member pivoted' between the ends of correspondinglinks 'so as to be maintained parallel with said first jaw in allpositions of adjustment, a movable handle having forwardly projectingside plates journaled upon one of said pivots at the side of said links,and a latch member carried by said movable handle and having a forkedend receiving said rigid handle, said links having lateral notches andsaid forked ends having hooks adapted to enter said notches so as toconnect said movable handle to said links.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle having a jaw at one end and a pivot adjacent to said jaw, a linkor side plate journaled on said pivot at each side of said rigid handle,said links having secured between their outer ends a jaw complementaryto said irst jaw, the sides of said links being formed on an arc abo-utsaid pivot and provided with radial notches, a second handle journaledupon I said pivot, and a latch member carried by sa-id 'second handleand adapted to engage any one of said notches so as to secure saidhandle in rigid engagement with said links or side plates.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle having a jaw at one end and a pivot adjacent to said jaw, a linkor side plate journaled ou said pivot and having secured to its outerend a jaw complementary to said first jaw, the side of said link beingformed on an arc about said pivot and provided with radial notches, asecondl handle journaled upon said pivot, and a latch member carried bysaid second handle and adapted toengage any one of said notchesl so asto secure said handle in rigid engagement with said link or side plate.

7 In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigid handlehaving a jaw at one end and a pair of spaced pivots at the rear of saidjaw, a link journaled upon each of said pivots, a complementary jawmember pivoted to the free ends of said links so as to remain parallelwith said first jaw in all adjusted positions, a second handle pivotedto one of said first pivots, and means for operatively connecting saidsecondl remain parallel with said first jaw in all adj usted positions,a second handle pivoted to said first handle, and means for operativelyconnecting said second handle with said second jaw in any one of severaladjusted positions.

9. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle having a jaw at one end and a pivot adjacent to said jaw, a pairof links or side plates journaled upon said pivot and having carried bytheir .free ends a jaw complementary to said first jaw, a second handlejournaled to said rigid handle and means for rigidly securing saidsecond handle to said links or side plates in a plurality of angularpositions.

10. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle having a jaw at one end and a pivot adjacent to said jaw, a pairof side plates journaled about said pivot and having carried by theirfree ends a jaw complementary to saidfirst jaw, said side plates beingconnected by a web or plate spaced laterally from'said pivot, a handleadapted to move said plates about said pivot to open and close saidjaws, and a member adapted to be interposed between said web or plateand the adjacent edge of said rigid vhandle for limiting-the openingmovement of said jaws.

11. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle having a jaw at one end and a pivotin the rear of said jaw, apair of side plates journaled about said pivot and having carried bytheir free ends a jaw complementary to said irst jaw, said side platesbeing connected by a web or plate spaced laterally from said pivot andhaving its edge spaced from the edge of said rigid handle when said jawsare closed, a handle adapted to move said plates about said pivot toopen and close said jaws, and a wedge member carried by said rigidhandle and adapted to be interposed between the edge thereof and theedge of said web or plate for limiting the opening movement of .saidjaws.

12. In a device of the character described,

in combination, a rigid handle having a jaw at one end and a pivot inthe rear of said jaw, a link journaled on said pivot and having carriedby its free end a jaw complementary to said rst jaw, said link havinganabutment or stop spaced laterally from said pivot and having its facespaced from the edge of said rigid vhandle when said jaws are closed, ahandle adapted to move said link about said pivot to openand close saidjaws, and a member carried by said rigid handle and adapted to beinterposed between the 4edge thereof and the face of said abutment orstop for limiting the opening movement of said jaws.

13. In 'a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle having a jaw at one end and a pivot in the rear of said jaw, saidhandle having its edge corrugated, a second jawcomplementary to saidfirst jaw, a pair of-side plates secured to said second jaw andjournaled about said pivot, said side plates being connected by a web orplate spaced at one side of said pivot, a handle operatively connectedto said second jaw, and a wedge member slidably mounted upon said rigidhandle and adapted to be inserted beneath said web or plate, said wedgemember having corrugations adapted to cooperate with said iirstcorrugations to prevent casual displacement thereof.

14. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle having a jaw at one end and a pivot in the rear of said jaw, saidhandle having its edge corrugated, a second jaw complementary to saidfirst jaw, a link secured to said second jaw and journaled about saidpivot, said link having an abutment shoulder spaced at .one side of saidpivot, a handle operatively connetted to said second j aw, and a wedgemember adapted to be inserted between ysaid shoulderand said rigidhandle, said wedge member having corrugations adapted to enter saidlirst corrugations.

l5. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle having a jaw at one end and a pair of spaced pivots at the rearof said jaw, a movable jaw member having at one end a jaw complementaryto said first aw and having a pair of similarly spaced pivots, linksconnecting similar pivots and maintaining the same at the corners of aparallelogram whereby said jaws will be given a parallel motion, and asecond handle operatively connected to one of said inks for operatingsaid movable jaw mem- 16. In a device of the character described, incombination, a rigid handle having a jaw at one end and a pair of spacedpivots at the rear of said jaw, a movable jaw member having at one end ajaw complementary to said first jaw and having a pair of'similarlyspaced pivots, links connecting similar pivots and maintaining the sameat the Corners of a parallelogram whereby said jaws will be given aparallel motion, and a second handle adjustably connected to one of saidlinks for operating said movable jaw member.

17. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle having a jaw at one end and a pair of spaced pivots at the rearof said aw, a movable jaw member having at one end a jaw complementaryto said first jaw and having a pair of similarly spaced pivots, linksconnecting similar pivots and maintaining the same at the corners of aparallelogram whereby said jaws will be given a parallel motion, asecond handle operatively connected to said movable jaw member and astop member adapted to be interposed in the path of movement of certainof said links for limiting the opening movement of said jaws.

18. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle having a jaw at one end and a pair of spaced pivots in the rearof said jaw, a movable jaw member having at one end a jaw complementaryto said rst jaw and having a pair of similarly spaced pivots, linksconnecting the pivots of said movable jaw member with the correspondingpivots of said fixed handle, said links being of substantially equallength whereby said jaws will be given a substantially parallel motionand said pivots being so arranged that the tip of said movable jawmember will be substantially iush when closed with the tip of said fixedjaw member and that upon being opened will rst advance beyond the end ofsaid fixed jaw and afterward retracted behind the end of said vfixedjaw, and a movable handle operatively connected to said movable jawmember.

19. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle made in the form of a reverse curve and having at one end, a jawformed at the inside of one of the curves, a movable jaw member having ajaw complementary to said first jaw, said rigid handle having a pair ofspaced pivots and said movable jaw member having a pair of similarlyspacedv pivots, links of substantially equal length connecting thepivots of each pair 'with the corresponding pivots of the other pair,and a movable handle journaled to one of said pivots and secured to thecorresponding link, `the faces of said jaws being substantially parallelto the line bisecting the angle between the handles when the latter areopened to their widest extent.

20. In a device of the character described, in combination, a rigidhandle having a jaw at one end and a pair of spaced pivots at the rearof said jaw, a movable jaw member having at one end a. jaw complementaryto said first jaw and having a pair of similarly spaced pivots, links ofsubstantially equal length connecting similar pivots whereby said jawswill be maintained substantially parallel at all times, and a secondhandle pivoted to said first handle and operatively connected to saidmovable jaw member.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

HERBERT R. PALMER. .Witnessesz HAROLD E. SMITH, J. B. HULL.

